 gospel, and ane o' your ain folk.
Is it not written, Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites
from among the Levites? Numbers, fourth and aughteenth - O sirs! dinna be
standing here prattling wi' honest folk, when ye suld be following forth your
victory with which Providence has blessed ye.«
    This party having passed on, they were immediately beset by another, to whom
it was necessary to give the same explanation. Kettledrummle, whose fear was
much dissipated since the firing had ceased, again took upon him to be
intercessor, and grown bold, as he felt his good word necessary for the
protection of his late fellow-captives, he laid claim to no small share of the
merit of the victory, appealing to Morton and Cuddie, whether the tide of battle
had not turned while he prayed on the Mount of Jehovah-Nissi, like Moses, that
Israel might prevail over Amalek; but granting them, at the same time, the
credit of holding up his hands when they waxed heavy, as those of the prophet
were supported by Aaron and Hur. It seems probable that Kettledrummle allotted
this part in the success to his companions in adversity, lest they should be
tempted to disclose his carnal self-seeking and falling away, in regarding too
closely his own personal safety. These strong testimonies in favour of the
liberated captives quickly flew abroad, with many exaggerations, among the
victorious army. The reports on the subject were various; but it was universally
agreed, that young Morton of Milnwood, the son of the stout soldier of the
Covenant, Silas Morton, together with the precious Gabriel Kettledrummle, and a
singular devout Christian woman, whom many thought as good as himself at
extracting a doctrine or an use, whether of terror or consolation, had arrived
to support the good old cause with a reinforcement of a hundred well-armed men
from the Middle Ward.30
 

                              Chapter Seventeenth

 When pulpit, drum ecclesiastic,
 Was beat with fist instead of a stick.
                                                                       Hudibras.
 
In the meantime, the insurgent cavalry returned from the pursuit, jaded and worn
out with their unwonted efforts, and the infantry assembled on the ground which
they had won, fatigued with toil and hunger. Their success, however, was a
cordial to every bosom, and seemed even to serve in the stead of food and
refreshment. It was, indeed, much more brilliant than they durst have ventured
to anticipate; for, with no great loss on their part, they had totally routed a
regiment of picked men, commanded by the first officer in Scotland, and one
